KS,
I live here in Centeral Montana,it's one of the best places I have lived in Montana.I to am young (30) and have a family(wife and 4 kids).What makes it so hard to live here is jobs(there are not alot of high paying jobs depending on what you do)the avg. yearly income is around 20-25k a year,30 being good and 50 if you can find it.
Land is more exspensive anywhere there are mountains,and rivers.
As for making a trip I would suggest Greatfalls,Bozeman,Billings and Helena as they seem to have a good job market(GT. Falls as being the worst).
The winters are and can be harsh several weeks(or Months) of minus 0 temps,high winds,crapy,crapy highways and roads,snow and drifting in rual areas.

BUT
The hunting can be spectacular.
The fishing,almost no place like it.
The schools and small towns are some of the best.
The scenery of Montana speaks for it's self.
It's a great place to live.

If you have any ? KS you can e-mail me.
BBJ